Hal Galper

Trip the Light Fantastic

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MUSIC REVIEW BY George Fendel, Jazz Society of Oregon

I'm really delighted to see Galper return to a straight ahead orientation on a fresh, buoyant new release. Working with Seattle veterans Jeff Johnson, bass, and John Bishop, drums, Galper makes it clear that this is going to be a brisk outing from note one. And that first note brings in "Alice In Wonderland." But this version, as opposed to most others, leaves no prisoners, as Galper and company go for broke. Having gotten out of the gate in a whirlwind, Galper also shows a penchant for ballads with "Babes of Cancun" and a stunning solo on "Guess I'll Hang My Tears Out To Dry." The pianist also takes charge on three of his own compositions, the best (and most lyrical) an off-beat sort of waltz, the title tune. And then what does Galper do? He reincarnates a Mario Lanza (!) opus from the early ?50s. Granted, Lanza never approached an interpretation quite like Galper's on "Be My Love," but there it is in all it glory. Galper is a high-energy pianist; very contemporary and, in places, extremely percussive. He's definitely on high beam with this trio.